Mani/pedi – is it time to take a breather?

A recent study found that nail lamps can damage your skin, resulting in premature aging and increase your risk of skin cancer. The lights that come with at-home gel manicure kits are less powerful than those found in a salon, but exposure can still accumulate. 

Gel nail polish—and nail polish in general—can be hard on your nails as well as the acetone used to remove it. Traditional nail polish removers are very drying and can cause your nails to split or peel, increasing your risks of an infection. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind before your next mani/pedi:

Tip: Apply sunscreen to the tops of your hands to help minimize the exposure of the UV rays if you're planning to use gel nail polish. 

Tip: Give your nails time to "breathe" between manicures. Keep your hands, nails and cuticles well-loved by using moisturizing hand creams like Cera Ve or Eucerin.

Tip: Opt for nail polish removers that aren't acetone-based. Labels will indicate if they are acetone free.

Tip: Unfortunately, nail polishes are chock full of chemicals (your nose already knows that by the smell!). Make sure you're choosing colors that are "three-free," "four-free" or "five-free." These refer to the toxic chemicals not used in these specially formulated polishes. A simple Google search will help you find these as well as polishes that are vegan, water-based and cruelty-free.